LANSING, MI -- The Michigan Department of Community Health is urging residents to get vaccinated after confirming the third flu-related death of a child this season.

The department, which reports pediatric deaths to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, confirmed late last month that a 6-year-old child from Southwest Michigan died after contracting influenza.

MDCH previously confirmed the flu-related deaths of an infant in southwest Michigan and a 13-year-old in mid-Michigan. The department does not report adult deaths.

Spokeswoman Angela Minicuci said a state lab has confirmed 252 flu cases so far during the 2012-13 season. As of late December last year, the lab had confirmed only 4 cases.

Some local hospitals and health departments around the state also confirm cases that do not reach the state lab. Additionally, many afflicted with the flu may not see a doctor, and some doctors may not report all cases.

So while the state lab totals are unusually high, they likely represent only a portion of the actual flu cases in Michigan. Nationally, the CDC reported that 31 states were experiencing widespread flu activity as of late December.

"This isn't something that's only affecting Michigan," said Minicuci. "This is a national issue. The flu numbers have started much higher this year around the nation."

While the influx of reported cases is concerning, there is good news: The three most common strains of influenza in Michigan, as confirmed by the state lab, are all covered in the flu vaccination offered this year.

"If (residents) get the vaccine, they have a very, very good chance at avoiding the flu," Minicuci said. "It really is the best way to protect yourself against the flu strains that are out there in Michigan."

Minicuci specifically urged parents with young children to get a flu shot, noting that infants under 6 months old cannot get the vaccine but are still susceptible to influenza.

The surge in flu cases has led to some concern that pharmacists could run out of Tamiflu, a popular antiviral medication. The Grand Rapids Press spot-checked five local pharmacies and found that three had no Tamiflu in stock and the other two had only one form of the medication, which is offered as a liquid for children or capsules for adults.